[MR] BBC: Twm Siôn Cati, the Welsh Robin Hood

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Today the BBC offered a brief piece about Llandovery, a Welsh Town trying
to promote itself as a historical tourist venue. What caught my eye was the
mention of a beer-drinking goat. The goat belonged to a visiting clergyman
named Rhys Pritchard (1579-1644). Together with his four legged friend, the
curate did a massive pub crawl through many of Llandovery's many drinking
establishments. The next day the goat refused to drink any more beer,
causing the churchman to reflect on leading a virtuous life. Maybe the goat
felt remorseful about drinking . . . uh . . . bock beer (Owwwww! Taking a
low dive for that one!)

The article is found at https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-60257115 .

Of more interest to us is Llandovery's connection with a 16th century thief
named Twm Siôn Cati. He was active in the area at the time Bloody Mary was
Queen. Twm was noted for his cleverness, and with many tales about his
audacious crimes has been called "The Welsh Robinhood". Ironically, Twm
Siôn Cati was pardoned by Queen Elizabeth and became a local magistrate,
judging others for crimes similar to his own. Twm's life was popularized in
the 1978 BBC television series HAWKMOOR.

You can learn more about Twm Siôn Cati at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twm_Siôn_Cati .

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆